270 Plums and Plum Culture 



ada, New York, Iowa, Maryland and Texas. They 

 have done equally well, — or, if there has been any 

 difference, it has been against the northern-grown 

 trees, which is quite contrary to the common preju- 

 dice. 



The distance apart for planting plum trees varies 

 somewhat for soils and localities, and greatly for the 

 varieties to be set. Abundance, for instance, may be 

 set ten feet apart, while Burbank should have twice 

 as much space. Domestica varieties in rich ground 

 require eighteen to twenty feet, but if kept closely 

 pruned, may be set a little closer. For a mixed 

 orchard, twelve to fifteen feet may be regarded as the 

 proper planting distance. If spraying with a mounted 

 sprayer is to be a part of the orchard operations, the 

 distance must be increased to twenty or even to twenty- 

 five feet. 



Fall and spring planting are often contrasted and 

 their special advantages discussed. Nobody can say 

 which is the better, because either is or neither is. It 

 depends on the locality, season, condition of the soil, 

 condition of the trees, and on other circumstances. 

 If the soil is well prepared, and the trees are ripe and 

 ready, they may be set in the fall. If they are 

 not, the trees should be stored or well heeled-in till 

 spring opens. 



Varieties should be mixed in planting with ref- 

 erence to cross-pollination. This subject is judged to 

 be of sufficient importance and complication to de- 

 mand a separate chapter. 



Cultivation. — The plum orchard should have the 

 same cultivation as the apple orchard. Horticulturists 

 are thoroughly agreed on this point. They are prac- 

 tically agreed also that this means a general plowing in 

 spring, with clean surface culture till the middle of 

 July 01 first of August, and a cover crop for fall, The 



